VHL Rookie Profile – Koji Yamazaki (D)
Name: Koji Yamazaki Hometown: Tokyo, Japan Age: 20 Position: Defense Number: 77 Team: Turku Outlaws Player Type: Defensemen VHLM, here I come When you think of Ice Hockey, the land of the Rising Sun doesn't immediately come to mind. Sure, he isn't the first Asian player and he certainly won't be the last, but Koji Yamazaki's arrival is a little different to the usual hockey prospects entering the league. Growing up on a diet of all things Japanese, all it took was one viewing of an NHL playoff game when he was 11, to fascinate young Koji with the sport of hockey. He loved what he initially called “soccer on ice” and every facet of the sport held him transfixed and determined to one day play it at the professional level.
That's where the Ottawa Lynx came to his rescue by claiming Koji from the waiver wire, soon after he declared his interest in the VHLM, the stepping stone to the VHL. He played out the remainder of the season with the Lynx, before being drafted by the Turku Outlaws at #7 overall in the S38 VHLM Dispersal draft. Initial Outlook Yamazaki has great size at six-foot-four and 220 pounds with great mobility. His offensive game really looks like it will take off as he develops further. Koji's confidence grew in his ability to rush the puck up the ice, after his time with Ottawa, though despite the improving numbers, he’s not a natural point producer. He plays a sound, calculated defensive game thanks to his long wingspan and competitiveness and Yamazaki should develop into a stud shutdown defender.
Yamazaki has a very bright future.
Season 38 Stats to this point Goals: 15 Assists: 67 Points: 82 +/-: 30 Hits: 194 PIM: 151 Shots Blocked: 86 STRENGTHS Koji Yamazaki is an excellent defensive defenseman, and is arguably one of the best defenseman in this year’s class when it comes to taking care of his own zone. He’s a very strong skater despite his size and isn’t shy about using it to shut opponents down, whether it be by using his body or his long reach and stick to poke the puck off the opposing player. Koji is a very hard worker and doesn’t back down from anyone. He uses his big frame as you would expect someone his size would and he’s not afraid to drop the mitts, either. He’s incredibly smart, positionally sound and really understands the game. One of the best aspects of his game is that he doesn’t force things and allows the game to come to him. He almost always goes for the high percentage plays, which is somewhat rare for a young defenseman who has as much talent as he does. While Yamazaki isn’t exactly known for his offensive game, he can produce if given the opportunities and should be able to help generate some offense at the next level. He owns strong leadership abilities as well which he should be credited for. WEAKNESSES While Koji can produce offensively in the VHLM, scouts are unsure how much will translate to the VHL when he gets there. His shot is pretty mediocre considering his size and he doesn’t have that ‘wow’ factor to his offensive game. He would benefit from working on his strength and passing abilities, but that should happen over time. He can also tend to be a confidence player and if things aren't going as expected, he can be quiet on the ice as a result. POTENTIAL
Yamazaki has the potential to be a top notch shutdown defenseman who can dominate given his size, physicality and skating ability. Despite his mediocre offensive abilities and lack of a booming shot most defenseman his size possess, anything less than a top-pairing job for the tenacious blueliner would be considered a disappointment. It may take him some time to get there, but he's the mean, versatile defender that every team covets.
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Thanks for the mention. Another good episode and thoughts go out to all those who went through the tragedy in Moncton. Jericho, I hope your father doesn't suffer any long term effects from losing friends and work colleagues...all the best to you and your family.
